The Chiefs practiced today without two starters, left tackle Branden Albert and cornerback Brandon Flowers. Both players were sick and sent home from the Truman Sports Complex practice facility before practice began. Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was taken from the practice field shortly before the end of the session because of leg cramps. Bowe left practice early two weeks ago for the same reason.

The Chiefs practiced Wednesday without two starters, left tackle Branden Albert and cornerback Brandon Flowers. Both players were sick and sent home from the Truman Sports Complex practice facility before practice began.

Donald Stephenson worked as the starting left tackle. Sean Smith and Dunta Robinson were the starting cornerbacks.

A third starter, wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, was taken from the practice field shortly before the end of the session because of leg cramps. Bowe left practice early two weeks ago for the same reason.

The Chiefs were again without wide receiver Dexter McCluster, who injured his hamstring in practice last week. McCluster was at practice but not participating.

Poe with a TD

Defensive lineman Dontari Poe made the play of the practice when he caught a tipped pass for an interception. Players in practice normally stop short of returning an interception all the way for a touchdown, but Poe took it to the end zone and then displayed a touchdown dance that he said he’s been working on for just such an occasion.

Poe said he scored a touchdown in a high school game after intercepting a screen pass.

“I took it to the crib, 71 yards or something like that,’’ he said. “I had an entourage in front of me so we got it done.’’

Davis on his fumbles

Much has been made about the many fumbles committed by rookie running back Knile Davis in college last season when he played for Arkansas. A true test for Davis and will come in training camp when the Chiefs practice in pads and in the preseason games.

But though the Chiefs are practicing without contact for now, Davis declared the problem has already been corrected.

“I’ve got it under control. It’s not really that big of a deal. I had two bad games last year where I fumbled a lot. It was just me not focusing on it.’’

Sutton likes Jackson

Defensive end Tyson Jackson has been a target of frustration for many Chiefs fans since he was selected with the third overall pick in the 2009 draft. But defensive coordinator Bob Sutton argued with the contention that Jackson hasn’t played to his lofty draft status.

“That’s in some people’s view,’’ Sutton said. “I think Tyson has had a great camp. We think Tyson is a really, really good football player. I know a lot of times, when you’re picked that high or when you’re a (defensive) lineman, you’re judged on sacks. There is a lot more to football than sacks. A lot of it is simply affecting the quarterback as opposed to sacking the quarterback. There are other things that have to happen first.

“A lot of the dirty work has to happen on those first and second downs in there to get you that position where you can go after the quarterback, but overall, I think he’s done a great job. I think if he stays on course of what he’s doing, he’s got chance to have a really good football season.’’